Ski binding

ABSTRACT

A boot heel holding member of a ski safety binding is pivotally mounted and urged by a spring either downwardly towards an operative boot holding position, or upwardly towards an inoperative boot releasing position. A second pivotally mounted member can be releasably locked in a fixed position by adjustable locking means such as a spring-urged ball engaging in a recess. One-direction movement means act between the holding and second members so that when the second member is locked in position the holding member can move towards the operative position under the action of the spring, whilst for movement of the first member towards the inoperative position the holding member is angularly locked with the second member. The binding can thus automatically adapt to different heel thickness and can accomodate a layer of snow the maximum thickness of which is independent of the spring strength. The one-direction movement means can be a pawl cooperating with a locking surface or any free-wheel mechanism.

United States Patent 1 3,695,625

Salomon 1 Oct. 3, 1972 SKI BINDING Primary Examiner-Benjamin Hersh 72 I t Geo Pi al 4 Assistant Examiner-Robert R. Song I nven or g 5: 3:32:25, 12 1; Attorney-Emory L. Groff and Emory L. Groff, Jr.

F 22 l d 57 ABSTRACT F' N 1970 1 I e (W A boot heel holding member of a ski safety binding is [21] Appl. No.: 91,768 pivotally mounted and urged by a spring either downwardly towards an operative boot holding position, or upwardly towards an inoperative boot releas- [30] Foreign Apphcauon Pnonty Data ing position. A second pivotally mounted member can Dec. 12, 1969 Switzerland ..18497/69 be releasably locked in a fixed position by adjustable locking means such as a spring-urged ball engaging in [52] U.S. Cl. ..280/11.35 T a recess -d r ti n m v m nt means act between [51] Int. Cl ..A63c 9/00 the holding and Second members 80 that when the [58] Field of Search ..280/l1.35 T second member i looked in oosiiioo iiio hoidiog member can move towards the operative position 56] References Cited under the action of the spring, whilst for movement of the first member towards the inoperative position the UNITED STATES PATENTS holding member is angularly locked with the second member. The binding can thus automatically adapt to 3 {i is different heel thickness and can accomodate a layer of 5/1971 S lo a 1 T snow the maximum thickness of which is independent l u T of the spring strength. The one-direction movement 3608918 9/1971 Hec 0/ means can be a pawl cooperating with a locking surface or any free-wheel mechanism.

24 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures ,4 [l Ag? l 5 r 8 l i l I l I l i ,7 9 i i l 22 3 6 I i 4 l I I i a 7 l E 12 0 Mummer m2 3.695.625

sum 2 nr 7 SKI BINDING This invention relates to ski safety bindings comprising a boot heel holding member which has a certain elastic path or play before the locking mechanism of the device is caused to release.

Certain bindings of this type enable refitting of a boot, i.e., by locking the locking mechanism, with a certain amount of snow between the sole and the ski without causing modification ofthe effort necessary to release the binding in safety. This feature is extremely advantageous since it relieves the skier from having to take care to keep his boot soles free of snow, and facilitates rapid refixing of the skis.

It should, however, be noted that heel bindings which can accept a certain layer of snow between the ski and the boot operate elastically but, on the one hand, this property is not reciprocal, and on the other hand the greatest permissible thickness of snow cannot exceed the amplitude of the said elastic play. There is thus, in known bindings of this type, a definite relationship between the elasticity and snow-layer capacity, which forms a serious drawback since it is necessary to depend upon the elasticity to achieve a desired snowlayer capacity and it may be to increase the elasticity more than is desirable to obtain a sufficient capacity.

Any increase in the elastic play leads, in fact, to an increase in the efforts to be furnished either by hand or using a ski pole when the skier wishes to take off his skis. However, the efforts which a skier can provide are limited and the snow layer capacity can thus, paradoxially, be limited by the physical strength of the skiers.

It is an object of the invention to remedy these drawbacks by providing a ski safety binding of the abovementioned type, in which the play of the bootholding member is independent of the elastic force urging the member to hold a boot.

According to the main aspect of the invention, there is provided a ski safety binding comprising a first member having means for holding at least a part of a boot, the first member being movable between an operative boot holding position and an inoperative open position, a second pivotally mounted member, means for releasably locking the second member in a first position, means for adjusting the stress necessary to overcome the action of the locking means and move the second member away from the first position, means for urging the first member towards the operative position when the second member is in the first position, and one-direction movement means acting between the first and second members whereby when the second member is locked in the first position, the first member can move towards the operative position under the action of the urging means while for movement of the first member towards the inoperative position, the first member is angularly locked with the second member.

In other words, with the binding according to the invention, locking of the retaining or second member is carried out when the jaw or first member is still in a relatively high position in relation to the ski; after this locking, the jaw continues to move down until the boot heel is firmly applied against the ski. Once locked in this operative position, stresses on the jaw are trans-- mitted from the jaw to the locking device which has a certain elastic play before releasing.

- This arrangement has a double advantage: on the one hand, the bindings according to the invention have a large snow layer capacity independent of the elastic strength and, on the other hand, they adjust to all widths of boot heel without a need for adjustment.

The above-mentioned one-direction movement device can either be fixed on the jaw and lock on a part of the locking mechanism, or can be fixed on the locking mechanism and lock with the jaw, or alternatively be fixed to both jaw and locking member, locking them together for movement in one direction, while allowing them relative movement in the opposite direction.

Any appropriate one-direction movement mechanism can be used such as, for example, a cam or a wedge, a free-wheel device, a spring lodged in a coaxial housing or a co-axial cylinder against the walls of which it can lock.

Advantageously, the one-direction movement mechanism may act on the locking mechanism and causes opening of the locking mechanism by an amount which determines the snow layer capacity.

Alternatively, the one-direction movement mechanism is independent of the locking mechanism and acts directly on the jaw to fix the snow layer capacity.

It should be noted that the one-direction movement device could, at least partly, contribute to operation of the locking mechanism.

It is particularly advantageous that the one-direction movement mechanism can be disengaged with a relatively small effort, so that the skier can voluntarily remove his boots from the bindings without difficulty.

The invention is particularly suitable for heel bindings, but is is clear that the same system could be applied to toe bindings without departing from the scope of the invention.

The accompanying drawings show, schematically and by way of example, several embodiments of ski safety bindings according to the invention.

FIGS. 1 to 3 schematically show a first embodiment:

FIG. 1 shows the binding in an operative, locked position;

FIG. 2 shows the binding at the beginning of a releasing movement; and

FIG. 3 shows the binding in the fully open or unlocked position.

FIG. 4 shows a heel binding using the operating principle of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 schematically shows a second embodiment of heel binding.

FIGS. 6 to 9 schematically show a third embodiment of binding:

FIG. 6 shows the binding in an operative, locked position;

FIG. 7 shows the binding at the beginning of a releasing movement;

FIG. 8 shows the binding in the fully open or unlocked position; and

FIG. 9 shows the binding in position for refitting the boot, after relocking the locking mechanism.

FIG. 10 shows a heel binding using the operating principle of the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a type of one-way movement device for use in a binding according to the invention.

FIG. 12 shows a fourth embodiment of binding incorporating a one-way movement device as shown in FIG. 1 1.

FIG. 13 shows a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 14 shows a sixth embodiment.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a seventh embodiment.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of safety binding for releasably holding a boot 1 onto a ski represented by a base plate P.

This binding comprises a jaw 2 pivoted about a fixed axle 3 carried by a support 4 fixed to the base plate P.

The support 4 cooperates with the jaw 2 so that the latter can pivot between an extreme lower position, FIG. 1, and an extreme upper position, FIG. 3. On the same axle 3 is pivotally mounted a part 5 which can also pivot between an extreme lower position, FIG. 3, and an extreme upper position, FIG. 4. I

This oscillable part 5 hasa hollow 6 able to receive locking means which, in this example, is formed by a roller 7 urged by a spring 8 the force of which is adjustable by means of a push-piece 9 screwed into a part 10 of the support 4. In the practical embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the spring 8 acts on the roller 7 through a lever 11 pivoted about a pin 12 on'base plate P, a free end 13 of this lever 1 l forming an actuating member to enable manual release of the binding.

On the oscillable part 5 is pivoted a lever 14 about an axle 18. Lever 14 has an end 15 which forms a pawl and bears on a curved surface 16 approximately concentric to the axle 3 and which is provided on a part of the jaw 2. At the other end of the lever 14 is a cam surface 17 intended to be applied onto the roller 7 of the locking means.

A lever 19 forming a pedal is also pivoted about the fixed axle 3. This lever is extended by an arcuate part concentric with the axle 3 forming a bearing surface for the pawl 15 which drives the part 5 down to its locked position, the axle 18 and hence pawl 15 then escaping from the part 20 and going back to act on the surface 16.

The pedal 19 is provided with a projection 20 which is able to bear against a stop 2' on the jaw 2 so that raising of the jaw causes raising of the pedal, and lowering of the pedal causes lowering of the jaw.

A return device (FIG. 4) tends to hold the jaw 2 in its operative boot-gripping position. This device comprises an extension spring 21 hooked between a fixed point formed by the pin .12 and a pin 22 transversally fixed on the jaw. The pivoting axle 3 of the jaw 2 thus remains in the operative position against the sole of boot, as long as the spring 21 is out of alignment with and below the pivoting axle 3. However, the spring 21 tends to lift the jaw 2 as soon as it passes above the axle 3, for exampleas a result of a vertical stress acting on the boot 1.

If, for example, the skier falls forwards, the heel of boot 1 pulls the jaw 2 upwardly. The jaw '2 begins to move, as shown in FIG. 2, causing pivoting of the part 5 by engagement of the pawl 15 'on surface 16. This movement takes place as if the assembly formed by the jaw 2, part 5, and lever 14, including its pawl 15, were made in a single piece pivoted about the axle 3. During this movement, the cam surface 17 "of lever 14 forces the roller 7 out of the hollow 6 thereby compressing the spring 8. The roller 7 then bears against the part 5 leaving the lever 14 free to be pivoted in the clockwise direction about axle 18 by the action of the surface 16 against pawl 15 until the pawl ISis freed from the surface 16. The jaw 2 is thus completely free and is pivoted by the raising action of the heel of boot 1 until the spring 21 passes above the axle 3 (see FIG. 3), whereupon the jaw 2 is raised to its fully opened position by the spring 21. The pedal 19 is also caused to rotate by projection 2' on the jaw 2 applying against the stop 20.

Before release, the pressure exerted by the roller 7 on the cam surface 17 applies the pawl 15 against the surface 16of jaw 2, while after release, the roller 7 acting on another part of the lever 14 forces the pawl 15 to away from the surface 16.

Of course, a small spring or stop can be provided to limit the angle of rotation of the lever 14 about axle 18.

When the skier wishes to put on his skis, he places his boot heel onto the binding in the open position, as shown in FIG. 3, and presses on the pedal 19 with his heel. The pedal moves downwardly, causing a corresponding pivoting of the jaw 2 by means of the" stop 20'. At the beginning of downward movement of the pedal, the arcuate part 20 thereof comes into abutment with a part 23 of the lever 14 protruding above the pawl 15, so that the part 23 is pushed upwardly and causes, by lifting axle 18, pivoting of the oscillable part 5 about the axle 3.

When the roller 7 arrives in the immediate proximity of the hollow 6, it starts to apply against the cam surface 17 and the pawl 15 is thus caused to bear against the surface 16, while the roller 7 rolls into its housing formed by the hollow 6 .the edge of which can be slightly tapered so as to ease this rolling movement.

The operationof the device shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is as follows:

In normal use, the device is in the operative position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. In this position, the roller 7 is located in the hollow 6 of part 5, the pawl 15 of lever 14 being urged against the surface 16 by the action of the cam surface 17 against the roller 7, so that the jaw 2 is locked in the operative position. The pedal 19 is inoperative, its arcuate part 20 being out of contact with the axle 18 for pawl 15.

The spring 21 then causes the jaw 2 to close up onto the heel of the boot 1, this movement being permitted by an appropriate shape for the pawl 15 to enable sliding of the surface 16 thereagainst while the. jaw 2 turns in the counterclockwise direction about axle 3. After its rotation about the axle 18 upon the passage of the cam surface 17 above roller 7, the part 23 of the pawl 15 is freed from the bearing. surface 20 so that the pedal can also move downwards freely under-the action of the heel of boot I.

When the skier wishes to manually free the skis,- he need only compress the spring 8 acting on the roller 7 byexerting a pressure on the end 13 of the lever 11, shown in FIG. 4. Once the binding is released, the heel of the boot 1 can be lifted from the ski.

The second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 comprises the same basic elements as for the first, namely a base plate P, a jaw 2 for gripping the heel of a boot 1, this jaw being pivoted about a fixed axle 3, a part 5 oscillably mounted about the axle 3 and having a hollow 6 ,for a locking member 7 which in this example is a ball and a spring 8, the force of which is adjustable by means of a screw 9, urging the ball 7. Similarly, a spring 21 is attached to the jaw 2 by means of a pin 22 and to a fixed pin 12, so that it normally tends to hold the jaw in operative position against the sole of a boot 1. The part 5 has an extension 24 at the end of which is pivotally mounted a first locking lever 26 about a pin 25. A lever 28 is pivotally mounted at 27 on the extension 24, this lever 28 having a second locking lever 30 pivotally mounted at its upper end about a pin 29. A compression spring 31 engaged between the two locking levers 26 and 30 tends to cause them to pivot so that they rare pressed against either side of a rod 32 articulated to the jaw 2 about a pin 33. The free end of the rod 32 has a stop member 34 fixed thereto. The lower end of the lever 28 has a roller 35 cooperating with a ramp 36 fixed on the base plate P.

This binding also comprises a pedal 19 formed by a plate located in the vicinity where a boot heel is to be held, the plate of pedal 19 being slidable in a guide member 37 carried by the extension 24 of the oscillable part 5. The plate of pedal 19 is articulated at its other end to a lever 39 about a joint 38. The lever 39 is pivoted about an axle 40 carried by the part 5. The upper end 41 of lever 39 acts on a small piston 42 slidably mounted in a housing 43 of the part 5 against the action of a spring 44. In the operative or locked position of the binding, the ball 7 urges the piston 42 into its housing 43 against the action of the spring 44, which causes pivoting of the lever 39 in the counterclockwise direction and causes the pedal 19 to adopt a retracted position in relation to the boot heel, as shown in FIG. 5.

The binding additionally comprises a manual release lever 45 pivotally mounted at 46 to a fixed part of the base plate P and connected to an arm 47 by an articulated joint 48, arm 47 being connected to a pin 49 fixed onto part 5. The connection between the pin 49 and the arm 47 is provided by means of an elongated opening 50 provided in the end of arm 47. An end 51 of the lever 45 forms a manual control member for releasing the binding.

. The operation of the second embodiment of fixation device is thus similar to that of the first embodiment.

However, in the second embodiment, the one-way' movement mechanism is formed by the locking levers' 26 and 30 acting on the rod 32.

In the case of a forward fall by the skier, the jaw 2 is urged upwardly and pulls the oscillable piece 5 with it by means of the rod 32 and the locking levers 26 and 30. Thus, the spring 8 is compressed and the ball 7 moves out of its housing 6 and rolls over a neutral surface area of the part5, keeping the spring 8 in the compressed state. The part 5 turns about the axle 3 causing the roller 35 to leave the ramp 36 which allows an angular displacement of the lever 28 in the clockwise direction and relaxes the compression spring 31, which eases the locking levers 26 and 30 away from the rod 32. This rod 32 thus slides upwardly relative to the levers 26 and 30 until the stop 34 limits the opening movement of the jaw 2 in relation to the extension 24 of the oscillable part 5. As soon as the line of action of the spring 21 passes above the axle 3 due to raising of the jaw 2, the jaw 2 is pulled upwardly by the spring 21 to its fully open position thereby completely freeing the boot 1. The ball 7 having moved out of the housing 6, the piston42 which is urged by spring 44 causes a displacement of the lever 39 thereby causing the pedal 19 to project under the jaw 2.

To reattach the skis, it is sufficient to press the heel of the boot 1 onto the projecting pedal 19 which moves downwardly causing a rotation of part 5 until the ball 7 reengages in its housing 6, which causes withdrawal of the pedal 19. The jaw 2 thus continues its downward movement under the action of the spring 21, and urges the boot heel against the base plate P of the ski, even if a layer N of snow is located between the boot heel and the base plate P. The locking levers 26 and 30 are once more pressed against the rod 32 upon contact of the roller 35 with the ramp or cam surface 36. These locking levers 26 and 30 do not prevent the jaw 2 from continuing its permitted downward movement which is limited by the thickness of the sole of the boot in question and, possibly, by the thickness of the layer of snow under the boot heel.

When the skier wishes to remove the skis, he can press with his pole on the end 51 of lever 45 which causes firstly a compression of the spring 8 and consequently releases of the locking means by movement of the ball 7, and then freeing of the part 5 to rotate about the axle 3.

FIGS. 6 to 10 show a third embodiment of safety binding comprising the same principal elements as before, namely a jaw 2 for holding a boot 1 onto a ski represented by a base plate P, this jaw 2 being pivotally mounted on an axle 52. This axle 52 articulates the jaw 2 to an oscillable part 5 pivotally mounted about an axle 3 carried by a fixed part 4 of the device. The part 5 also has a hollow 6 for accommodating a locking member 7 urged by a spring 8 fitted in a housing of the fixed part 4. The locking member 7 is integral with a rod 53 articulated at 54 to a pivoted lever 55 which enables, by moving an end 56 of lever 55, manual withdrawal of the locking member 7 from the hollow 6 against the action of the spring 8.

A lever 58 is pivotally mounted about an axle 57 on the oscillable part 5, an end 59 of this lever forming a pawl cooperating with a frusto-cylindrical bearing surface 60 formed on the jaw 2 and having its center of curvature located approximately coincident with the axle 52. A compression spring 61 is supported between the part 5 at 62 and the jaw 2 at 63. As can be seen in the drawings, the point of action 63 of the spring 61 is located nearer the point 62 than is the axle 52.

A pedal 19 is pivotally mounted about the axle 52, this pedal being provided with a bearing surface 20 adapted to apply against a stop of the jaw 2.

The binding shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 operates as follows Upon a forward fall by the skier, the boot 1 raises the jaw 2 pulling with it the pedal 19 and the oscillable part 5 with which it is temporarily united (see FIG. 7). The jaw 2 is rendered temporarily united with the oscillable part 5 by a one-way movement mechanism constituted by the pawl 59 cooperating with the surface 60. The set of parts 2, 5, l9 and 59 this turns about the axle 3, which causes a compression of the spring 8 and the removal of the locking member 7 from its hollow 6. In the practical embodiment shown in FIG. 10, this locking member is formed by a simple non-rotatable finger capable of sliding over the neutral surface area 64 adjacent the hollow 6 on 'the part 5. As soon as the upward angular displacement of the jaw 2 and part 5 is sufficient for the lever 58 to abut by its end 65 against the stop 66, the pawl 59 is separated from the surface 60 which enables the jaw 2 to pivot about the axle 52. During this movement, as soon as the supporting point 63 passes below the line joining the axle 52 to the point of support 62 of the spring 61, this spring causes upward movement of the jaw 2, thus freeing the boot (see FIG. 8). The spring 61 is chosen to be sufficiently strong so that upon replacing the boot on the ski, the pressure of the heel on'the pedal 19 causes lowering of the assembly formed of the jaw 2, the pedal 19 and the oscillable part 5, this assembly pivoting about the axle 3 and the locking member 7 being displaced along the neutral profile to come into engagement in the hollow 6 so that locking is effected before the jaw 2 is fully closed by pivoting about the axle 52 (see FIG. 9).

The oscillable part 5 having reassumed its lower position, the lever 58 by taking support against the fixed part 67 pivots about the axle 57, so that the pawl 59 once more comes into cooperation with the surface 60. The continued downward movement of the boot 1, during which the pawl 59 slides over the surface 60 permitting the downward movement of the jaw 2 onto the sole, is assisted by the spring 61. This movement continues until the boot heel, or the layer of snow adhering thereto, comes into contact with the ski, or the layer of snow which possibly covers it (see FIG.

FIG. 11 illustrates a one-direction movement mechanism comprising a helicoidal spring 68 located in a cylindrical housing 69 partly in a jaw 2 and partly in a support 70 for the jaw 2, the axis of this housing 69 coinciding with the axis for pivoting of the jaw 2. The arrangement is such that the spring 68 is jammed in the housing 69 when the jaw 2 is urged upwardly, but allows the jaw to be freely lowered onto the heel of a boot. A lever 71 is fitted inside the housing 69. An end 72 of this lever engages on an inwardly directed end 73 of the spring 68. It can easily be understood that turning lever 71 in the counter-clockwise direction causes a winding up or tensioning of the spring 68 in the housing 69 by turning its end 73. The diameter of the helicoidal spring 68 is thus reduced, which allows the jaw to be freed from the spring 68. The spring tends to be driven in the reverse i.e. the clockwise direction when the jaw is urged upwardly, the friction between the spring 68 and the housing 69 thereby tending to cause an unwinding of the spring to increase its diameter, which causes locking of the spring 68 in the housing 69. Consequently, the jaw 2 can always close down onto a boot heel but, on the contrary, when the heel is raised it pulls the assembly formed from the jaw 2 and support 70 with it.

The disengagement of such a mechanism requires very little effort, so that voluntary release of a binding using such a mechanism can be carried out with great ease. Naturally, relocking of the binding takes place with the same ease. Of course, the surface of the coils 'of the spring can be worked so as to apply with greatest advantage against the corresponding surface of the housing; in the described example, only the outer surface of the spring need be so treated.

FIG. 12 schematically shows a binding for releasably holding a boot on a ski incorporating the mechanism shown in FIG. 11. This binding comprises a jaw 2 carried by an oscillable part 5 pivotally mounted about a fixed axle 3 carried by a support 4 of the fixation device resting on a base plate P applied against a ski. This raw is joined to the oscillable part 5 by means of a helicoidal spring 68 engaged in a housing .69, as above described. The part '70 (not shown) forms a sort of end piece of the oscillable part 5. The lever 71 acts by its end 74 on a lever 75 pivoted at 76 on the oscillable part 5. This part 5 has a hollow 6 for cooperation with a locking ball 7 urged by a spring 8.

As shown in FIG. 12, a sloping surface 77 extends beyond the lower part of the hollow 6 and has at its lower end a bulge 78 terminating in a stop 79. The tension of the spring 8 is, of course, adjustable by means of a screw, not shown. This surface 77 is thus not concentric about the axle 3, so that the spring 8 is regularly compressed to a greater degree during movement of the oscillable part 5 away from the ski by pivoting about axle 3 in the clockwise direction. Therefore, the position illustrated in the drawing is a stable rest position of the device. The bulge 78 on the surface 77 enables the part 5 to remain in another stable position after a slight decompression of the spring 8. While the ball 8 has not passed over the bulge 78, the oscillable part 5 always returns to the position shown in FIG. 12 and the fixation device thus has an elastic play the amplitude of which is determined by the length of the surface 77. When the ball 7 passes over the bulge 78, the jaw 2 being in the position M the lever 71 is pushed by the lever 75 pivoted at 76 on the oscillable part 5, the arm 80 of this lever 75 coming into abutment with a fixed stop 81, so that the one-way movement mechanism is disengaged by the winding up of the spring 68 in its housing 69. The jaw 2 thus opens freely under the action of the heel and a traction spring 82 fixed between a fixed point 83 and a point 84 of the jaw 2 causes lifting of the jaw 2 which thus occupies the position M and raises pedal 19 to a corresponding position by means of the stop 20.

When the boot is fixed back onto the ski, the pedal 19 firstly rotates the assembly formed by the jaw 2 and oscillable part 5, so that the device returns to the position shown in FIG. 12, the jaw 2 continuing to move down from the position M after the ball 7 engages in the hollow 6, the jaw urged by spring 82 pressing the boot heel onto the ski. To manually release the device, it is simply necessary to press on the end of the arm 80 of lever to unlock the spring 68 in its housing 69 and allow the jaw to open to position M The boot heel can thus lift the jaw to this position, initially against the resistance of the spring 82.

Summing up, the position M, of the jaw 2 corresponds to the normal operative or rest position of the binding, the jaw being as close as possible to the base plate P; the position M corresponds to the opening of the jaw 2 by disengagement of the spring 68; the position M corresponds to the opening of the jaw 2 at the maximum amplitude of its elastic path by pivoting about axle 3, but without disengaging the spring 68; and the position M corresponds to the position of jaw 2 after disengagement of the spring 68 at the end of the elastic path by means of the stop 81.

FIG. 13 shows a fifth embodiment of binding comprising the same principal elements, namely a jaw 2, ball or equivalent locking member 7, and pedal 19, the jaw 2 and the pedal 19 being pivotally mounted about a fixed axle 3. In this embodiment, the oscillable part 5 is formed by a piece of generally circular cross'section at the periphery of which are provided a series of hollows 6, 6', 6", etc. The jaw 2 is fixed to another circular part 85 having a generally cylindrical inner wall 86. A lever 87 is oscillably mounted about the axle 3. This lever 87 carries a pawl 88 an end 89 of which acts against the cylindrical wall 86 which is equivalent to the surface 16 of the first embodiment. Lever 87 is angularly locked with the second circular part formed by the oscillating part 5 rotatable about the axle 3. The lever forming the pedal 19 is able to cooperate with a stop on the circular piece 85 so as to be able to return the jaw 2 to its operative heel-gripping position.

This device operates as follows:

Upon a forward fall by the skier, the jaw 2 is moved,

upwardly moving with it the first circular piece 85 which, in turn, by means of the pawl 88 on lever87 drives the second circular piece 5 which is angularly locked therewith. Thus, the ball 7 is pushed out of its hollow 6 against the action of the spring 8 and is ap plied against the periphery of the circular piece 5. The heel continues to raise the jaw 2, and the ball 7 engages in the hollow 6 adjacent to the hollow 6, so that the binding is once more locked in position although the boot is freed and the assembly formed of the jaw 2 and pedal 19 is in a position to enable refitting of the boot onto the ski. This operation is achieved simply by pressing the heel on the pedal 19 which drives the jaw by means of the stop 20 on the circular piece 85 which turns freely in the counterclockwise direction without moving the piece 5 because the pawl 88 moves downwardly itself. A spring can optionally be provided to urge the pawl 88 against the circular wall 86; this spring would thus be slightly compressed upon refitting the boot.

The downward movement of the jaw 2 and the pedal 19 stops during refitting the boot at a variable height according to the thickness of the sole and the amount of snow between the sole and the ski.

The circular piece 5 is shown provided with eight hollows 6, 6, 6", and so on, but it is clear that the number of hollows is chosen as a function notably of the diameter of the piece and the desired opening of the jaw 2.

To manually release the fixation, the skier simply has to pull the lever 90 in the direction indicated by arrow F which disengages the pawl 88 from the cylindrical wall 86 and allows rotation of the piece 85 integral with the jaw 2 by lifting the heel. The only resistance to overcome is practically entirely provided by the resistance of the spring 91 acting between a fixed point 92 and a point 93 on the jaw 2.

FIG. 14 shows a sixth embodiment, which is a modification of the preceding one. The sixth embodiment also comprises a jaw 2 integral with a first circular piece 85 pivotally mounted about a fixed axle 3. The fixed axle 3 carries a second circular piece 5 having a series of hollows 6, 6, 6" at its outer periphery and in which can successively engage a locking member 7 urged by a spring 8 the pressure of which is adjustable by means of a screw 9. A pedal 19 is also pivotally mounted about the axle 3; this pedal 19 is capable of acting on the circular piece 85 by means of a stop 20. The, second circular piece 5 has an internal cylindrical wall 94. A pawl 95 is pivotally mounted on. the circular piece 85 and has an end 96 acting against the cylindrical surface 94 of the piece 5. This pawl 95v can be held in contact with the cylindrical wall 94 by means of a leaf spring 97.

A traction spring 91 is attached between a fixed point 92 and a point 93 on the jaw 2.

The operation of the sixth embodiment is analogous to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13; however, since in the two devices, the position of the jaw 2 in relation to that of the locking means 6, 7 is not precisely defined, but can be modified upon removing and replacing the boot, it can be arranged that at the moment of release, the ball or other locking member 7 passes from one hollow 6 to the neighboring hollow 6' without stopping between the two hollows, 6, 6', whatever be the displacement of the jaw 2 upon opening of the device. This result can be obtained, for example, by providing suitably spaced hollows around the periphery of the piece with which the pawl 95 locks, i.e., the generally cylindrical wall 94, so that the piece 5 turns by a constant angle for each releasing operation, whatever be the angle of rotation of the jaw 2.

Of course, this binding will also be provided with a lever such as the lever of the embodiment according to FIG. 13, to enable displacement of the pawl to allow release by freeing the circular piece 85 and hence the jaw 2.

As a variant of this sixth embodiment, it is clear that the pawl 95 could be replaced by any other one-way jamming member, such as a roller, a ball or an edged part or pawl as used in free wheel mechanisms.

The seventh embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 also comprises a jaw 2a pivotally mounted about an axle 102 fixed on a part 5a oscillable about a fixed axle 30 carried by a base plate P. The jaw also carries a rod 32a pivotally mounted thereon at 33a. This rod 32a has a stop 34a at its free end. The rod 32a is engaged in an opening 98 of slightly greater diameter than its own, this opening being provided in a piece 99 pivotally mounted about an axle 100 carried by a part 101 itself pivotally mounted about an axle 102.

The part 5a additionally carries an axle 103 to which is articulated a pedal 19a the rear part of which engages with a leaf spring 104.

A spring 105 is engaged about a rod 106 which is pivoted about a fixed axle 107 and is provided with a bore 108 in which a stub 109 fixed on the rear part of the jaw 2a can slide,'in a manner to compress the spring 105.

.A part 110 is also pivotally mounted about the axle 107 and carries a locking member 7a cooperating with a hollow 6a in the part 101. This part 110 also carries a stub 111 or other appropriate projection on which is exerted the pressure of a spring 8a acting on a piston l 19 in contact with the stub 11 1. The state of compression of the spring 8a is adjustable by a screwed cap 120, which enables setting of the force necessary to release the fixation device.

The part 110 also carries a lever 112 enabling manual release.

' are omitted.

A rod 113 is fixed on the base plate P and carries at its upper end a stop 113 for a part 114 slidably engaged on the rod 113 and submitted to the action of a spring 115. v

Operation of this seventh embodiment takes place as follows: i i '1 The position shown in FIG. corresponds to the rest state of the binding without a boot in position. When a boot is held by the binding, the jaw 2a is further away from the ski and the spring 105 is consequently compressed to a greater or lesser degree.

The part 114, urged by the spring 115 which is compressed, makes the part 99 turn about the axle 100, so that the opening 98 of the part 99oand the rod 32a are no longer coaxial and there is consequently locking of the rod 320 in the direction of release of the binding, despite the action of the spring 116. The one-way movement mechanism formed by the assembly of the rod 32a and the opening 98 of the part 99 only allows sliding of the rod 32a in relation to the said part 99 in the direction of closing or locking of the binding.

When the boot heel urges the jaw upwardly, the assembly 320, 99, 101 and 5a temporarily forms a single unit turning about the axle 3a causing expulsion of the locking member 7a from its hollow 6a.

' The part 99 escapes from action of the part 114, but remains in engagement on the rod 32a because of the traction which continues to be exerted on the jaw 2a by the heel. When the heel is freed, the locking action between the opening 98 and rod 320 ceases, the spring 116 relaxes and the device adopts the position shown in FIG. 16 in which, for the sake of clarity, certain parts The operation of volontary release of the device takes place by pressing on the lever 112, so that the stub 111 compresses the spring 8a, which enables the locking member 7a to move out of its hollow 6a, so that the skierby lifting his boot lifts up the jaw 24 until disengagement of the rod 32a from the'opening 98 frees the spring 116 which continues to open the jaw 2a in relation to the oscillable part 5a. In doing so, the spring 105 is compressed and can no longer relax, because the part 99 is once more locked on the rod 32a by means of the spring 116, but only in the direction of closing.

When the boot is fitted back onto the ski, the heel is applied onto the pedal 19a whichdownwardly drives the oscillable part 5a, the jaw 2a and, consequently, the part 1010f the locking device. The locking member 7a, which was in contact with a sloping ramp surface 118 extending from the free edge of the part 101 to the lower edge of the hollow 6a with a slightly increasing radius of curvature, returns into the said housing 6a. The shape of this surface 118 aids opening of the jaw 2a.

Simultaneously, the part 114 urges the part 99, which disengages the rod32a in relation to the opening 98 in the direction enabling closing of the jaw 2a, but unlocks it .in the direction of opening of the jaw which can thus continue to close up on the heel under the action of the spring 105.

Simultaneously, the stop 117 pushesagainst the leaf spring 104, and removes it from the housing 121 located in its lower rear part, which enables the pedal 19a to retract and the heel to continue to move down.

I claim:

l. A safetybinding for a ski including a base plate, said binding comprising a first member including means for releasably securing at least a part of a boot to the ski; support means on said base plate, said first member pivotally mounted on said support means and movable between an operative boot securing position and an inoperative boot releaseposition, a second member pivotally mounted'on said support means, locking means mounted onsaid support means for releasably locking the second member ina first position, stress adjusting means cooperating with said locking means to adjust the stress necessary to overcome the action of the locking means and move the second member away from the first position, urging means acting on said first member to urge said first member towards the operative position when the second member is in the first position, and onedirection movement means acting between the first and second members, whereby when the second member is locked in the first position the first member can move towards the operative position under the action of the urging means, whereas when the first member moves towards the inoperative position it is angularly locked with the second member and when the action of the locking means has been overcome and the second member has been moved away from the first'position by movement of the first member towards the inoperative position, the urging means tends to urge the first member towards the inoperative position.

2. A binding according to claim 1, wherein the onedirection movement means is disengaged from the first member and the urging means tends to urge the first member towards the inoperative position.

3.. A binding according to claim 2, wherein the onedirection movement means comprises a pawl cooperat ing with a surface integral with the first member.

4. A binding according to claim '3, wherein the first and second members are pivotally mounted about a common axis.

5. A binding according to claim 4, wherein the urging means comprises a spring acting between a point on the first member spaced apart from said axis and a fixed point, the spring tending to urge the first member towards the inoperative position when the line of action of the spring passes from one side of said ,axis to the other upon movement of the first member from the operative towards the inoperative position.

6. A binding according to claim 4, including third member pivotally mounted about said common axis, said third member acting as a support for at least a part of a sole of a boot held by the binding, and means for angularly interlocking the first and third members such that movement of the first member from the operative position towards the inoperative position causes raising of the third member, and lowering of the third member causes movement of the first member from the inoperative position towards the operative position.

7. A binding according to claim 4, including a third member pivotallymounted about said common axis, said third member acting as a support for at least a part of a sole of a boot held by the binding, and means for angularly interlocking the first and third members such that movement of the first member from the operative position towards the inoperative position causes raising of the third member, and lowering of the third member causes movement of the first member from the inoperative position towards the operative position, wherein when the third member is lowered while the second member is away from the first position, a part of the third member engages with said lever to move the second member towards the first position and to urge the pawl towards the surface integral with the first member.

8. A binding according to claim 4, wherein the second member comprises a generally hollow cylindrical part having an inner cylindrical surface, said pawl being pivotally mounted on a part of the first member inside said hollow cylindrical part, the one-direction movement device comprising means for urging the pawl against said cylindrical surface.

9. A binding according to claim 8, wherein the outer surface of said second member has a plurality of recesses therein and said locking means comprises a spring urged locking member engageable with one of said plurality of recesses in the outer surface of the second member.

10. A binding according to claim 9, including a third member pivotally mounted about the common axis of the first and second members, said third member acting as a support for at least a part of a sole of a boot held by the binding, and means for angularly interlocking the first and third members such that movement of the first member from the operative position towards the inoperative position causes raising of the third member, and lowering of the third member causes movement of the first member from the inoperative position towards the operative position.

11. A binding according to claim 3, wherein the pawl is pivotally mounted on the second member.

12. A binding according to claim 11, wherein the first member comprises a first hollow generally cylindrical part rotatable inside a second hollow generally cylindrical part of the second member, said surface of the first member being formed by an inside cylindrical surface of the first.

13. A binding according to claim 12, wherein the outer surface of said second cylindrical part has a plurality of recesses and said locking means comprises a spring urged locking member engageable with one of said plurality of recesses in the outer surface of the second cylindrical part.

14. A binding according to claim 13, including a third member pivotally mounted about the common axis of the first and second cylindrical parts, said third member acting as a support for at least a part of a sole of a boot held by the binding, and means for angularly interlocking the first and third members such that movement of the first member from the operative position towards the inoperative position causes raising of the third member, and lowering of the third member causes movement of the first member from the inoperative position towards the operative position.

15. A binding according to claim 3, wherein the pawl forms one end of a two-ended lever pivotally mounted on the second member, the other end of the lever comprising a surface cooperating with the locking means so that when the second member is locked in the first position the locking means urges the pawl against the surface integral with the first member and when the second member is moved away from the first position the locking means urges the pawl away from he surface integral with the first member. 7

16. A binding according to claim 1, wherein the first member is pivotally mounted on the second member, and the urging means comprises a spring acting between a first point on the first member and a second I point on the second member.

17. A binding according to claim 1, wherein the onedirection movement means comprises a pair of levers pivotally mounted on the second member, a rod articulated to the first member, and spring means urging the pair of levers against the rod.

18. A binding according to claim 17, including means for disengaging the pair of levers from the rod when the second member is released from the first position by movement of the first member from the operative position towards the inoperative position.

19. A binding according to claim 18, wherein the disengaging means comprises a ramp surface, one of said pair of levers is pivotally mounted at a first end of a third lever pivotally mounted on the second member, and a second end of said third lever is urged by said spring means against said ramp surface.

20. A binding according to claim 19, wherein said third lever is connected to a train of levers operating a piston which facilitates release of the locking means upon moving of the first member from the operative position towards the inoperative position.

21. A binding according to claim 20, wherein the train of levers includes a retractable member which projects when the first member is in the operative position, the retractable member being retracted by action of the locking means on the piston when the second member is moved into the first position.

22. A binding according to claim 1, wherein onedirection movement device comprises a helicoidal spring engaged in a cylindrical housing partly in the first member and partly in the second member, the first member being pivotally mounted on the second member about the axis of the cylindrical housing, the spring being arranged so that movement of the first member from the operative position towards the inoperative position causes expansion and locking of the spring in the housing.

23. A binding according to claim 22, including means for causing contraction and hence freeing of the spring in the housing when the action of the locking means has been overcome and the second member has been moved away from the first position by movement of the first member towards the inoperative position.

24. A binding according to claim 23, wherein the urging means urges the first member towards the inand freeing means. 

1. A safety binding for a ski including a base plate, said binding comprising a first member including means for releasably securing at least a part of a boot to the ski, support means on said base plate, said first member pivotally mounted on said support means and movable between an operative boot securing position and an inoperative boot release position, a second member pivotally mounted on said support means, locking means mounted on said support means for releasably locking the second member in a first position, stress adjusting means cooperating with said locking means to adjust the stress necessary to overcome the action of the locking means and move the second member away from the first position, urging means acting on said first member to urge said first member towards the operative position when the second member is in the first position, and one-direction movement means acting between the first and second members, whereby when the second member is locked in the first position the first member can move towards the operative position under the action of the urging means, whereas when the first member moves towards the inoperative position it is angularly locked with the second member and when the action of the locking means has been overcome and the second member has been moved away from the first position by movement of the first member towards the inoperative position, the urging means tends to urge the first member towards the inoperative position.
 2. A binding according to claim 1, wherein the one-dirEction movement means is disengaged from the first member and the urging means tends to urge the first member towards the inoperative position.
 3. A binding according to claim 2, wherein the one-direction movement means comprises a pawl cooperating with a surface integral with the first member.
 4. A binding according to claim 3, wherein the first and second members are pivotally mounted about a common axis.
 5. A binding according to claim 4, wherein the urging means comprises a spring acting between a point on the first member spaced apart from said axis and a fixed point, the spring tending to urge the first member towards the inoperative position when the line of action of the spring passes from one side of said axis to the other upon movement of the first member from the operative towards the inoperative position.
 6. A binding according to claim 4, including third member pivotally mounted about said common axis, said third member acting as a support for at least a part of a sole of a boot held by the binding, and means for angularly interlocking the first and third members such that movement of the first member from the operative position towards the inoperative position causes raising of the third member, and lowering of the third member causes movement of the first member from the inoperative position towards the operative position.
 7. A binding according to claim 4, including a third member pivotally mounted about said common axis, said third member acting as a support for at least a part of a sole of a boot held by the binding, and means for angularly interlocking the first and third members such that movement of the first member from the operative position towards the inoperative position causes raising of the third member, and lowering of the third member causes movement of the first member from the inoperative position towards the operative position, wherein when the third member is lowered while the second member is away from the first position, a part of the third member engages with said lever to move the second member towards the first position and to urge the pawl towards the surface integral with the first member.
 8. A binding according to claim 4, wherein the second member comprises a generally hollow cylindrical part having an inner cylindrical surface, said pawl being pivotally mounted on a part of the first member inside said hollow cylindrical part, the one-direction movement device comprising means for urging the pawl against said cylindrical surface.
 9. A binding according to claim 8, wherein the outer surface of said second member has a plurality of recesses therein and said locking means comprises a spring urged locking member engageable with one of said plurality of recesses in the outer surface of the second member.
 10. A binding according to claim 9, including a third member pivotally mounted about the common axis of the first and second members, said third member acting as a support for at least a part of a sole of a boot held by the binding, and means for angularly interlocking the first and third members such that movement of the first member from the operative position towards the inoperative position causes raising of the third member, and lowering of the third member causes movement of the first member from the inoperative position towards the operative position.
 11. A binding according to claim 3, wherein the pawl is pivotally mounted on the second member.
 12. A binding according to claim 11, wherein the first member comprises a first hollow generally cylindrical part rotatable inside a second hollow generally cylindrical part of the second member, said surface of the first member being formed by an inside cylindrical surface of the first.
 13. A binding according to claim 12, wherein the outer surface of said second cylindrical part has a plurality of recesses and said locking means comprises a spring urged locking member engageable with one of said plurality of recesses in the outer surface of the second cyLindrical part.
 14. A binding according to claim 13, including a third member pivotally mounted about the common axis of the first and second cylindrical parts, said third member acting as a support for at least a part of a sole of a boot held by the binding, and means for angularly interlocking the first and third members such that movement of the first member from the operative position towards the inoperative position causes raising of the third member, and lowering of the third member causes movement of the first member from the inoperative position towards the operative position.
 15. A binding according to claim 3, wherein the pawl forms one end of a two-ended lever pivotally mounted on the second member, the other end of the lever comprising a surface cooperating with the locking means so that when the second member is locked in the first position the locking means urges the pawl against the surface integral with the first member and when the second member is moved away from the first position the locking means urges the pawl away from the surface integral with the first member.
 16. A binding according to claim 1, wherein the first member is pivotally mounted on the second member, and the urging means comprises a spring acting between a first point on the first member and a second point on the second member.
 17. A binding according to claim 1, wherein the one-direction movement means comprises a pair of levers pivotally mounted on the second member, a rod articulated to the first member, and spring means urging the pair of levers against the rod.
 18. A binding according to claim 17, including means for disengaging the pair of levers from the rod when the second member is released from the first position by movement of the first member from the operative position towards the inoperative position.
 19. A binding according to claim 18, wherein the disengaging means comprises a ramp surface, one of said pair of levers is pivotally mounted at a first end of a third lever pivotally mounted on the second member, and a second end of said third lever is urged by said spring means against said ramp surface.
 20. A binding according to claim 19, wherein said third lever is connected to a train of levers operating a piston which facilitates release of the locking means upon moving of the first member from the operative position towards the inoperative position.
 21. A binding according to claim 20, wherein the train of levers includes a retractable member which projects when the first member is in the operative position, the retractable member being retracted by action of the locking means on the piston when the second member is moved into the first position.
 22. A binding according to claim 1, wherein one-direction movement device comprises a helicoidal spring engaged in a cylindrical housing partly in the first member and partly in the second member, the first member being pivotally mounted on the second member about the axis of the cylindrical housing, the spring being arranged so that movement of the first member from the operative position towards the inoperative position causes expansion and locking of the spring in the housing.
 23. A binding according to claim 22, including means for causing contraction and hence freeing of the spring in the housing when the action of the locking means has been overcome and the second member has been moved away from the first position by movement of the first member towards the inoperative position.
 24. A binding according to claim 23, wherein the urging means urges the first member towards the inoperative position after actuation of said contracting and freeing means. 